Building Trust in Governance: India’s National Blockchain Framework

Posted On - 28 November, 2025 • By - Aurelia Menezes

Introduction

Blockchain which was once synonymous only with cryptocurrencies has now matured into one of the most consequential digital infrastructure tools of the 21st century. Unlike Artificial Intelligence, which relies on computational prediction, blockchain derives its value from trust architecture: an immutable, consensus-driven ledger system that can eliminate the vulnerabilities of centralized databases. For a governance ecosystem as large and diverse as India’s, where data integrity, transparency, and fraud mitigation remain persistent challenges, blockchain offers a paradigm shift in how public records and transactions are secured.

Recognizing this potential, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) introduced the National Blockchain Framework (NBF) which is a unified digital architecture aimed at enabling secure, scalable and interoperable blockchain deployments across ministries, state departments, and industry ecosystems. The NBF seeks to institutionalize accountability and transparency by embedding trust directly into the technological fabric of public service delivery.

Understanding blockchain and its Types

At its core, blockchain is a distributed, tamper-evident ledger maintained across a network of nodes, ensuring that recorded data cannot be altered retroactively without consensus. This architecture directly addresses long-standing concerns in public administration – unauthorized data manipulation, delays in verification, and opaque audit trails.

Types of Blockchain Networks:

[1]For regulatory and governance applications, the distinction between blockchain types becomes crucial:

  • Public Blockchains: Fully decentralized networks with open participation.
  • Private Blockchains: Permissioned networks allowing only authenticated users, suitable for sensitive government workflows.
  • Consortium Blockchains: Semi-decentralized models governed by multiple trusted institutions.
  • Hybrid Blockchains: Combining public transparency with private access controls for layered data management.

These structural differences underpin how the NBF defines governance use cases, cybersecurity expectations, and legal compliance obligations.

The National Blockchain Framework: India’s Unified Digital Infrastructure

Launched in September 2024 with a project outlay of ₹64.76 crore, the NBF represents India’s most ambitious effort to standardize blockchain adoption across public institutions. The framework seeks to accelerate the shift from siloed digital systems to interoperable, audit-ready, and verifiable government services.

Key Components of the Vishvasya Blockchain Stack

1. Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS):  Government departments can deploy blockchain applications without creating standalone infrastructure, significantly reducing implementation costs.

2. Distributed Infrastructure: Node clusters deployed across NIC Data Centres in Pune, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar ensure high availability, resilience, and fault tolerance.

3. Permissioned Blockchain Layer: A secure, identity-verifiable environment for transaction validation critical for legal compliance, chain-of-custody records, and evidentiary integrity.

4. Open APIs and Integration Services:  Ensures seamless interoperability with existing e-Governance systems, including DigiLocker, Aadhaar-enabled services, and state-level digital platforms.

NBFLite, Praamaanik, and the National Blockchain Portal

NBFLite facilitates experimentation by start-ups, academia and research institutions, enabling rapid development of blockchain-based prototypes for supply chain integrity, credential verification, and smart contract applications.

Praamaanik uses blockchain-backed timestamping to authenticate mobile applications, enabling citizens to validate developers, detect tampered apps, and enhance cybersecurity across India’s growing digital economy.

Serving as the centralized knowledge repository, the portal supports standard-setting, capacity building, and multi-sector adoption, positioning India among the few nations pioneering a state-backed blockchain ecosystem.

Blockchain Use Cases Transforming Indian Governance

1. Certificate and Document Chain: NIC’s Certificate Chain enables immutable verification of academic, identity, and statutory certificates. As of October 2025, over 340 million documents have been verified, including school certificates, birth and death records, and ration cards significantly reducing forgery and fraud.

2. Logistics Chain: Blockchain enables end-to-end traceability for supply chains. Karnataka’s Aushada platform is a leading example, ensuring medicine authenticity from manufacturer to hospital, reducing counterfeit drug risks.

3. Judiciary Chain & ICJS: By creating verifiable, time-stamped judicial records, blockchain strengthens transparency in bail orders, summons, and electronic notices. Over 39,000 ICJS records and 665 judiciary documents have already been validated, improving procedural reliability.

4. Property Chain: A blockchain-enabled land and property registry can mitigate title disputes, fraudulent transfers, and opaque mutation processes—long-standing pain points in India’s real estate ecosystem.

Regulatory & Institutional Developments Supporting Blockchain Adoption[2]

MeitY’s National Strategy on Blockchain outlines a roadmap for scalable, secure deployments across domains such as finance, telecommunication, judiciary, and supply chain governance.

Key Initiatives

Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Blockchain Technology: Developed by NIC, the CoE provides consultancy, training and pilot project development using open-source frameworks like Hyperledger Fabric, Sawtooth and Ethereum.

Sectoral Regulatory Adoption

  • TRAI: Uses Distributed Ledger Technology to monitor SMS transmission chains and mitigate spam across 1.13 lakh registered entities.
  • RBI: Pilots the Digital Rupee (e₹) using blockchain-based architecture, paving the way for transparent and programmable digital payments.
  • NSDL: Launched the Debenture Covenant Monitoring System, enabling immutable audit trails for investor protection.

Capacity Building for a Blockchain-Ready Workforce

To ensure institutional readiness, MeitY has trained over 21,000 officials across 214 programmes, strengthening literacy in blockchain architecture, cybersecurity, and governance application design.

  • Key national programmes include PG Diploma in FinTech & Blockchain Development (PG-DFBD), C-DAC’s BLEND Online Course, FutureSkills PRIME, upskilling professionals in blockchain and nine other emerging technologies.

Conclusion

India’s National Blockchain Framework marks an inflection point in digital governance. By integrating secure, traceable and tamper-proof systems into public service delivery from land records to supply chains and judicial processes the NBF establishes a robust foundation for transparent governance. As future use cases expand across GST, PDS, healthcare and financial services, blockchain is poised to become a cornerstone of India’s digital public infrastructure.

[1] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?id=155672&NoteId=155672&ModuleId=3

[2] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?id=155672&NoteId=155672&ModuleId=3